Biodiesel presence in Washington, D.C., evolves

By | April 25, 2007

Tom Hance recently joined Gordley Associates, one of the National Biodiesel Board's policy monitoring firms in Washington, D.C. He will handle a portfolio that includes biodiesel, conservation and transportation issues. Most recently, Hance served as the federal policy director and head of the Washington (D.C.) Office for Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich. Prior to that, he served as chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode Jr., R-Va., who served on the House Agriculture and Appropriations committees.

Hance grew up on a small family farm in Calvert County, Md. He received a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Richmond and a master's degree in government from Johns Hopkins University.

Hance takes on responsibilities previously overseen by Mark Palmer. Palmer has moved on to the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Small Business. Palmer says he believes energy and agriculture will be priorities of the committee.